Abstract: An improved insulating shade device is provided for increasing thermal resistance and minimizing convective drafts at windows. The device includes a multiplicity of insulating members proportioned for covering a section of the window pane. The insulating members in one embodiment are joined by a suitable cover such that abutting edges of adjacent insulating members pivot with respect to each other. The device is mounted by attaching a support unit to the lintel or upper portion of the window frame. This support unit carries the shade and, in this connection, the upper end portion of the shade is joined with the support unit. Means are provided for drawing the shade to its folded position such that it is stored in a compact manner below the support unit.

Abstract: A machine for mining hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes in thin seams is disclosed which is suitable for being drivingly connected to a conventional mining apparatus, particularly an augar mining apparatus. The mining machine includes a rotating cutting apparatus with a longitudinal axis roughly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the auger holes. The rotating cutting machine is used for mechanically contacting and dislocating hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes in thin seams. A power operated system is drivingly connected to the cutting apparatus for generating a cutting motion during the in-cutting operation. A guiding system is provided for maintaining the cutting apparatus in mechanical contact with hard material in-situ between the adjacent auger holes. In one embodiment of the invention a means are provided for collecting dislocated material which is transported from the position at which the material is mined to a remote location for deposit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating axial thrust and consequently the need for thrust bearings in parallel shaft and crossed-axis helical drive arrangements is disclosed. According to this invention, a gear with helically cut teeth which maintain a constant profile but have a uniformally tapered top land and bottom land, the top land of which increases in width as the bottom land decreases in width is mounted on a shaft. This tapered tooth helical gear is meshed with a second similar gear mounted in meshing proximity on a second shaft. During operation the axial forces associated with helical gears are resisted by the compressive interfacing, with zero backlash, of the tapered teeth. Thus, the need for thrust bearings is eliminated.

Abstract: An improved window insulation system is provided which serves to establish a static air panel between the shade and the window pane. The system includes a valance which supports the spring biased shade rod about which the shade is rolled. The valance has a pivoted portion which can be moved away from the shade to facilitate its rolling and to reduce wear on the shade during the rolling operation. When the pivotal portion of the shade is secured in position, it establishes the position of the upper portion of the shade while securing means seal the upright and lower marginal edges of the shade to define the static air panel. To facilitate the rolling operation of the insulated shade, the shade, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of cross seams spaced by preselected distances to increase the shades flexibility.

Abstract: Decorative devices for pierced ears having two decorative sides and interchangable"add on" decorative parts is disclosed. The decorative ear devices "or earrings" of this invention are primarily for use for "show" animals such as dogs, cats and horses, but could also be used by humans. The "earrings" of this invention are for use for pierced ears and comprise a first decorative end having a permanently attached shaft. A first protective washer fits over the shaft and against the first decorative end. The shaft is made of a material suitable for passing through a pierced ear of an animal, such as for example, a poodle and preferably includes a male thread on the end thereof. A second protective washer is placed around the shaft after it is passed through the pierced ear. A second decorative end is secured to the end of the shaft, thereby also securing the earring to the pierced ear. For an earring having a threaded shaft, the second decorative end includes a snug fitting female thread.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for use in guiding and aligning a surgical blade or osteotome for bone removal from the tibia and femur during a proximal tibia osteotomy or a total knee replacement operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a femur "T" bar unit and a tibia "T" bar unit which are connected to the shaft of the femur and tibia bones respectively. First and second guide members provide means such that desired or selected cutting planes can be maintained during the bone cutting operation. These guides may be selectively attached to the mid portion of the T-bar units for providing a guide for total knee replacement or to the lateral or medial ends of the "T"-bar for a proximal tibia osteotomy. The medial and lateral ends of the cross bars of the T-bar units are secured to each other by means which are selected according to the operation to be performed. That is, a selection is made depending on whether the operation is to be a proximal tibia osteotomy or a total knee replacement.

Abstract: Colorful candy-covered whimsical figurines and a method of producing such figurines are disclosed. The figurines and method of this invention use inexpensive materials having great flexibility such that a great number of different type characters can be readily fabricated. The method includes the use of styrofoam members having reinforced junctures as the basic structure. The head member and other exposed members may be painted as necessary to provide facial details and desired whimsical features. In addition to attaching colorfully-wrapped candies, other decorative details are also included.

Abstract: Individual high area contactors suitable for filling a rotary biological contactor and for packing a fluid column or tower are disclosed. According to this invention each of the individual contactors include a tough abrasive-resistant outer member such as perforated substantially spherical members, or cylindrical shaped outer members such as Raschig rings. This tough outer member encloses or protects a more fragile high-area internal member or reaction support member. In a preferred embodiment such as for high temperature uses or uses where the contactor would be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, the outer member is preferably made of abrasive resistant ceramic and the high-area internal member is a ceramic sponge. In certain embodiments, the outer member can be made with a rather thin shell and still maintain its strength by the use of internal ceramic sponge shaped to provide support to the outer shell.

Abstract: A nose filter for filtering air breathed through the nostrils is provided. The nose filter includes a first nostril unit and a second nostril unit which anatomically engage the nostrils of the user such that one unit extends into each of the user's nostrils. Each nostril unit includes a holder which carries a filter member through which air is inhaled. The filter member is held in position by a filter plug member fabricated from a resilient material which extends into the nostril passageway and anatomically engages the septum and nostril wall. The nostril units are secured together at a spaced location by a securing device which biases each of the units against opposite walls of the nose septum such that the nose filter position is fixed.

Abstract: An improved tuning system for a color television receiver embodying a varactor tuner having a controller functioning as a potentiometer to provide a preselected tuning voltage for channel selection. The system includes a tuning voltage supply having a low impedance drive which is serially connected at its output with the controller. The voltage supply applies a preselected source voltage to the controller which is substantially independent of changes in the resistive value of the controller. The tuning voltage supply is combined with automatic fine tuning correction circuitry connected between the automatic fine tuning system and the varactor tuner. The automatic fine tuning correction circuitry applies a correction voltage to the varactor tuner for temperature compensation, fine tuning errors of 500 KHZ or less, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and recovering raw coal with no more than about 5% moisture and coal fines down to 200 mesh is disclosed. A complete washing plant having the ability to wash raw contaminated coal is disclosed. However, this invention is directed toward methods and apparatus for processing the coal slurry or effluent, and the wet coal obtained from a coal washing plant which methods and apparatus recovers coal fines down to 28 mesh. The apparatus and method of this invention separates the slurry which includes coal fines and contaminant material below 28 mesh by various screening and centrifugal processes such that coal fines down to 200 mesh are recovered. In addition, the methods and apparatus include various screens and centrifugal dryers for drying the wet coal thus recovering even more coal fines and reducing the moisture. The method and apparatus processes the effluents which include water and the contaminant materials such that the contaminant solids are removed from the water.

Abstract: A portable lighting system which includes a stand having an adjustable effective length which positions lights carried on a frame at a predetermined vertical position with respect to a supporting surface. The frame is releasably secured to the stand and can readily be set up and dismantled for transport in a compact space. Lights carried by the frame include a new and simple technique for attaching the gelatine filter holders, and may be connected to a foot operated control box which includes switches actuated to energize preselected lights or groups of lights. The energized lights or preselected energized lights can be intensity modulated with a foot operated dimmer while leaving the operator's hands free to play a musical instrument.

Abstract: This invention involves a new and unique inflatable bathtub for bedridden patients. More particularly, the bathtub includes a thin pliable sheet such as vinyl, which may be disposed of after one or more uses. The pliable sheet has a multiplicity of the first portion of attaching members located around the peripheral of the pliable sheet. In a preferred embodiment, these first portions of the attaching members are simply apertures around the peripheral of the pliable sheet. The pliable sheet is placed under the patient in the well-known manner of changing bed sheets while the patient remains in the bed. An inflatable rim member made of heavy-duty material and having the cooperating second portion of the attaching members is then placed around the patient. The second portion of the attaching members may simply be hooks which cooperate with the multiplicity of apertures.

Abstract: This invention involves new and unique apparatus suitable for safely and quickly removing a row of bare root nursery trees. More particularly, this invention teaches a lightweight and raised frame which supports a plow or blade, a power source, a seat for the operator and the controls. Weighted wheels are attached to the lightweight frame by four support members such that the wheels straddle a row of trees to be removed as the frame moves over the top of the row of trees. A U-shaped blade or plow is forced into the earth such that the blade cuts under and around the trees as the apparatus moves along a row of trees and the blade moves under the row of trees. Thus, the trees can be easily removed and the dirt shaken therefrom after the apparatus has moved past. According to one embodiment, a power source such as a small gasoline engine drives a hydraulic pump which is then used to hydraulically actuate the blade and to provide hydraulic power to four small hydraulic motors for independently driving the wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning, waxing, polishing and otherwise treating the surface of a floor, including such floors as wood, tile, vinyl, concrete and the like is provided. The apparatus includes a carriage or frame with a handle for guiding and maneuvering. Attached to the carriage are several containers for dispensing several selected types of fluids or solutions to the floor where a reciprocating scrubber, such as steel wool or a buffing pad operates with the solutions to effectively clean, strip, wax or polish the floor surface. In addition, there is a vacuum means which removes and carries away any excess liquid, solution or dirty cleaning fluids from the floor surface.

Abstract: A balanced mower head for carrying a plurality of monofilament lines. The mower head is suitable for being mounted on the shaft of conventional rotary mower and includes certain features which particularly adapt the head for universal fit and for replacing the conventional mower blade with monofilament cutting lines thereby substantially enhancing the safety of the cutting operation. The head defines a bore extending therethrough which is proportioned for receiving the shaft which normally carries the blade of a conventional rotary mower. A plurality of line holders extend outwardly from the head body and define at their outboard end portions an opening which is proportioned for receiving a line such that the line extends outwardly from the outboard end portion of each of the line holders to perform the cutting operation upon rapid rotation of the head. Means are provided for generating air currents in a vertical direction during the cutting operation to stand the vegetation up prior to its being cut.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for on-line detection and measurement of degradation or undesirable changes in the time constants of sensors used in monitoring a system are disclosed. Methods and apparatus of this invention are particularly suitable for use in complex and high-risk industrial processes or other operations where it is undesirable and expensive or dangerous to allow certain parameters of the operation to change above or beyond a predetermined amount. This invention includes a detector for determining when a signal from a sensor crosses a preselected signal level such as for example a zero level. The output of the detector or zero crossing detector is provided to a counter or other means which determines the rate of the zero crossing by counting the number of crossings per a specific time period provided by a timer.

Abstract: New and unique circuitry suitable for being located in electrical appliances, and which protects such appliances from theft and unauthorized movement. More particularly, the invention discloses circuitry for providing an alarm when the appliance is both disconnected and moved. The circuitry monitors both power input and movement of the appliance, and provides a pulsating signal suitable for sounding and audible alarm until the appliance is either reconnected or the alarm interrupted by a key switch. According to one particular embodiment, a mercury interrupter is uniquely arranged to operate as both the motion sensor and the oscillator for providing pulsating power to the audible alarm.

Abstract: A conveyor gathering systems suitable for use with a continuous narrow seam mining machine is disclosed. The system is a single continuous conveyor extending from the auger or cutting head to the rear or discharge end of the machine and is particularly useful with a dozer gathering head. Conveying of the mined material is achieved by an endless conveyor comprised of "flight bars" attached at each end to two drive chains. The single continuous conveyor is driven from the rear of the mining machine, may pivot up and down, and makes a very small diameter, 180 degree turn around, at the front of the mining machine adjacent the auger or cutting head. Because the conveying system uses a single continuous system of flight bars, the tensions on the conveyor can be significantly reduced such that the conveyor drive motor can be selected having a work capacity less than one half of other systems.